If you look back at old home photos and these vintage sculptured and textured carpets were seen – three-dimensional carved or twisted patterns – you can pretty much bet you’re looking at decor from the middle of the 20th century.
1951
These old Plymouth Suburban station wagons from the ’50s were big and long with rear-facing back seats – and even had fins. Check ’em out here!
Who was Uncle Wiggily? Find out more about the author of these serials and Uncle Wiggily books, see examples of the characters and artwork, and look back at a copy of ‘Uncle Wiggily and His Friends’ that was published in 1955!
See several old brands of bottled 1950s orange soft drinks and sodas here! Some were sparking, but several of the fruity drinks were non-carbonated – and none were diet.
Check out these fantastic vintage 1950s bathroom floors created with vinyl and linoleum, which range from simple to truly one-of-a-kind retro home decor!
What were popular ’50s floors like? They might have bold stripes, checkerboard squares, or many other classic and creative ideas. Take a look back!
Take a look back at the kind of aisles, counters and checkouts American shoppers used to encounter at vintage 1950s grocery stores when shopping for food, toiletries and more!
Red, pink, gold & beyond – See the top vintage nail polish brands and colors from the 20th century, with shades & styles from decades ago – see how manicures have changed over the years!
With vintage beauty cases and old-fashioned train cases like these, women could be sure their hair was in order, their noses were powdered, and lipstick was in place – all to maintain a ‘proper’ look when traveling.
George Burns & Gracie Allen were not only married in real life, their work from the mid-1930s through the mid-1950s made them one of the biggest comedy duos in Hollywood. Meet the wacky couple here!
What did kids – and adults – eat in the mornings back in the fifties when eggs, bacon, toast and pancakes weren’t on the menu? Take a look back at these popular vintage 1950s breakfast cereals to get a glimpse into the options people had back then!
Here, take a glimpse into the past and admire some of the timeless classic 1950s Studebaker cars, like the Presidents, Commander, Conestoga, Hawk, Broadmoor and Clipper.
Here, see 15 ways homeowners and interior designers back in the 1950s used colorful vintage vinyl floor tiles to create trendy square patterns using a variety of colors, sizes and styles.
Who remembers this long-running old ad campaign, showing how vintage Jergens Lotion helped with ‘detergent hands’ – dry, reddened skin from hand-washing dishes?
Pineapple juice is more than just a drink on its own. It can be used in a variety of recipes – from party punches to zesty meat marinades. Take a look at some vintage pineapple juice recipes and ideas here!
This easy-to-make vintage cardboard dollhouse is a project that can grow with your children! Here’s how you can make it – along with tips for cute ways to decorating the little play house.
Trans World Airlines, better known as TWA, was one of the major US airlines, moving millions of people to destinations around the globe. Find out the history of TWA, and see this collection of vintage ads to see how exciting flying used to be.
Books in a home once signaled that the residents were intelligent, worldly, and could afford to collect their favorite volumes. Look back at some vintage bookshelves from the past!
The Campbell Kids appeared in Campbell’s Soup advertising for decades, always with those little round faces. Here, see dozens of vintage toys, cups and more with their images, find out how they began, and meet the artist!
Folk-art painted furniture: Upcycle & renew furniture with tips from famed vintage artist Peter Hunt
For decades, artist Peter Hunt specialized in upcycling furniture and found objects by renewing them with colorful peasant designs. Here are examples of his work, and tips for how you can create your own folk-art painted furniture!
Artist Peter Hunt was known for his colorful peasant-style folk-art paint designs. He insisted that everyone – even people who couldn’t draw a straight line – could create these whimsical designs, using the simple techniques he explains here.
The basic concept hasn’t changed much in 100 years, but vintage Erector Sets like these are still popular, still inspiring creativity, and still being used to build everything from mini roller coasters to motorized robots.
These vintage zodiac cross-stitch designs could be used as-is, interspersed and contrasted with plain squares, or the designs adapted to many other uses — such as cross-stitch embroidery for table linens.
In the past, a few products – like Borden cheese – made it so their glass jars could be reused later as party or hostess glasses. Since people collected them, it was a smart use of double-duty packaging.
See several vintage ways to decorate mid-century entrance halls & foyers – using authentic 1950s and 1950s finishes and colors that made them as practical underfoot as they were pleasing to the eye
Jolly Time popcorn is an American company that got its start in 1914. Ten years later, they hit on the idea of selling their popcorn in cans to seal in the freshness so every kernel would pop.
Starting before TV was a really big thing, the old CBS Radio shows filled the airwaves with audio-only entertainment and news of every kind. Here’s a look at some of the programming!
They’re the treats you probably always wanted your mom to buy — old-school cookies, including both classics and long-forgotten brands. Here’s a look back – see how many you remember!
Although tile was available in a range of hues, when it came to creating the vintage 1950s bathroom tile design ideas homeowners wanted, the most popular colors were the ones shown here.
When you think about vintage Hostess snacks, do you start to crave Twinkies, fruit pies, Ho-Hos, Ding Dongs, or just some slices of squishy Wonder Bread? Revisit your favorites here!
From the middle of the 20th century, see some classic and some creative vintage 1950s kitchen tile design ideas that were popular decades ago!
When vintage Dial Soap debuted in the late forties, one of their selling points was ‘Dial smells good — not strong, not sissy.’ See how the product – and the message – changed over the years!
Back in the fifties, hairstyles took a lot of work just to be presentable. To help all that hard work stick around, millions of women used these popular 1950s hairspray brands. Here’s a look back!
When you look at these vintage Longines watches, think back to the era when wristwatches were as ubiquitous as our phones today – and almost as important.
While not exclusively the domain of the fifties, the popularity of vintage pink bathrooms – including pink toilets, sinks and bathtubs, and other home decor – reached its peak during the middle of the 20th century. Take a look!
Look back at the experience passengers in the thirties, forties, fifties and sixties could expect when they sailed the high seas in high style on these fabulous old cruise ships.
Here, check out 22 vintage kitchen design ideas – from funky fridges to creative cabinetry – plus other retro appliances and home decor we don’t see very often nowadays!
Delicious Christmas and holiday recipes with walnuts, including Chess pie, Walnut nuggets, Plum pudding, Walnut stuffing, Scotch trilbies, Panettone, and other delights.
It’s a joy for the whole family to get in on the planning and making of holiday cookies days and even weeks before Christmas day arrives. Here’s a classic cookie collection from the ’50s.
Here’s a cute little vintage Christmas tree craft from 1950. You can cut the tree and decorations out of paper, then and you can use it as a table centerpiece or a mantel decoration, hang it up, or just play with it.
If you’re looking to recreate that special vintage Christmas cookie recipe that your grandmother used to make, or want to discover old-fashioned cookies to make new again, here’s a big tasty collection of treats for you!
Take a look back at these vintage jewelry boxes that were so popular, including some with fold-out storage and – of course – spinning ballerinas.
Look at some vintage gas ranges millions of people had in their homes in the ’50s – right around when electric appliances were about to become popular.
The classic Nash cars that were so popular in the ’50s came in a few different models, and offered features like ‘nap couches’ for kids and huge luggage compartments.
Vintage Wrangler jeans made their mark on America by partnering with rodeo professionals, and playing up their western cowboy image. Here’s a look back at the clothing styles they offered in the ’50s!
American Airlines was one of the first companies to offer passenger flights in the US. The industry’s biggest success came after WWII. Here’s a look at the history of the airline’s first decades!
Country apple pie recipe: Crisco’s old-fashioned recipe from 1952 This apple filling is rich with spice, extra nice. And the pie crust — yum! It’s
What vintage Halloween candy did people get when trick-or-treating? See classic Butterfinger bars, Brach’s candy, Milky Way, Dubble Bubble, Baby Ruth, candy corn and more!
For this easy ’50s ColorVision cake recipe, pick 3 colors, then make your cake to match. Raspberry, strawberry, cherry, orange, lemon… any delicious flavor of fruit you like best. Here’s how.
These easy vintage cream cheese frosting recipes are one-bowl affairs with almost endless variations. Name a favorite flavor, and the chances are you can make it this easy way.
Anita Shops was a small but popular shop for women’s clothes, starting in the ’50s through the ’70s. Here’s a look at some of their vintage fashions!
This simple recipe for vegetable chowder – a thick milk-based veggie soup with onion, potatoes, green beans, carrots and bell pepper – comes directly from the 1950s.
Once people accepted that pregnant women could be stylish and need not remain hidden, the designs of vintage ’50s maternity fashion were surprisingly varied. Here’s a look!
Take a fun look back at the stereotypical ’50s housewife, as she vacuums in heels, washes dishes wearing pearls, and makes everything practically perfect.
These retro cash registers were big news because they showed the prices, item types, total purchased, tax (if any), money or check given checker, and exact change due.
These 6 simple salad dressing recipes from the fifties are easy to make, and might just be the old-fashioned taste you’re looking for to perk up the flavor of your green salads.
Classic Rambler cars from the ’50s were popular family cars, and were touted as offering big car room at small car prices. Here’s a look back!
Keds vintage sneakers made their debut in 1916, and are still a widely-recognized brand more than a century later. Here’s a look back at some of their most popular footwear fashions from decades past!
Here is a collection of tips from the past, for researching your past – namely, how to start a genealogical record for your family. Get ideas for tracking down your ancestry here!
From stylish room dividers to savvy storage to simple tips for making the most of a small home interior, get some ideas from the fifties for space-saving small home decor.
What can you make with Spam? According to these retro Spam recipes – what *can’t* you make with it?! Check out these easy vintage how-tos here.
Here, take a look back at old Lake Tahoe – the big, beautiful lake that has been a popular vacation spot for generations.
Compared to now, teenage girls in the 1950s had a lot of strict rules and etiquette considerations – and the consequences of falling short in certain areas could have a pretty considerable effect on her life. Here’s a look at the kind of messaging teens got back then.
When color TV was first invented, people wondered if you could convert a black & white TV to color, and which shows would appear in color – and when. Here are some of the answers they were given.
Here’s a look back at singer and actor Bing Crosby’s house in Holmby Hills, California, as it appeared in 1950.
Decades ago, vintage table lighters like these ‘played an important part in the art of entertaining. The gracious, easy way to get a light if you smoke.’
In the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s, old-fashioned maternity wear existed – but its main job was to help the mom-to-be hide her pregnancy. Here’s a look back at fashions to help women camouflage that bump!
See some of the vintage baby gear from the 1950s that parents used when raising our parents and grandparents – including a lot that wouldn’t be considered safe today.
Imagine being able to call someone when you *weren’t at home*! It was a big deal back in the day. See the history of vintage payphones & phonebooths here!
See vintage car wreck photos of 35 of old auto accidents and crashes from the 1910s to the 1950s – before standardized seatbelts and airbags.
If you’re remodeling a 1950s home exterior, advice from that decade says to follow a simple, straightforward style. Your house will look better and cost less.
What’s the history of Necco Wafers? Here’s a look back at how a company made the candy such a big hit that it would be on shelves for the next 100 years.
Take a look back at dozens of vintage gift sets for women from the ’50s, ’60s & ’70s, filled with fancy fragrances, makeup, skincare products & more!
Albert Einstein was a man whose life, philosophies, discoveries and theories changed the way we looked at the world, and at life itself. Find out about him here.
These little tamale pies are single-serving meals that have sliced tamales baked into a spiced corn batter. Get the recipe from the ’50s here!
Old-fashioned spice cake – a deliciously flavorful cake – was especially popular in the ’50s. Try making this homemade version and find out why!
These 60+ vintage patio furniture sets – charming tables, chairs, chaises and more – were as popular in the 1940s through the 1970s as they are now.
This vintage cinnamon twists recipe takes just seconds to knead, needs only one rising, and the breakfast twists can be served plain or frosted.
The Andrews Sisters were three little girls from Minneapolis, who resolved when young that they were going to be the greatest girl singing trio ever. And they were.
Here’s how to stencil a tray – transforming an inexpensive metal accessory into a family heirloom, with paint and these included vintage stenciling patterns.
Take these vintage centerpiece ideas from the ’50s, ’60s & ’70s, and put your own spin on them for a modern-day retro-inspired holiday or party table!
In these vintage ads from the ’50s, the message was clear: ‘If you don’t wash with Lysol, you’ll smell bad, and your husband won’t love you anymore.’
Scroll down and take a stroll into the iconic orange-roofed ice cream restaurants – vintage Howard Johnson’s – that were so popular in the fifties & sixties.
Vintage card tables and other folding furniture were a staple in every home decades ago.
Check out this easy how-to for “Fried chicken, Far East style” – an Indian-accented fried chicken curry recipe from 1950.
More than just a way to dry off, these retro towels from the 1950s gave vintage bathrooms color and style! Take a look back at this functional fifties decor.
Here are a few ways to make a happy Easter surprise — cute vintage Easter cakes, using ideas and recipes from the fifties & sixties!
Get classic recipes for old-fashioned popcorn balls, along with peanut brittle, molasses, caramel sugared and confetti popcorn versions – plus tips for the best way to pop corn.
Years ago, the United States Brewers Foundation ran a series of kindly, old-fashioned ads for beer, all with the tagline ‘Beer belongs – enjoy it.’ Here’s a look back.
Look back at more than 40 different styles of vintage window coverings from the ’50s – draperies, blinds, shutters, curtains & more.
Take a look back at some retro shelf edging papers & liners – used especially to decorate open shelving in vintage kitchens without a lot of cabinets.
Here are some of the coolest vintage 1950s ice cream flavors, including several long-gone flavors. (And they seriously loved pineapple and cherry!)
Treet is the meat (1945) The meal-ready meat most folks like best! Yes! Treet is the Meat! More people choose Treet than any other meal-ready
Look back at more than 200 vintage license plates issued through the 20th century – including ones for every American state & territory – plus some special plates, too.
United Airlines flights in the ’50s offered a whole different kind of experience compared to now. Here, see what the travel industry hoped to provide to passengers!
What were mutts and pedigreed pups eating in the ’40s-’80s? Here’s a look back at vintage dog food print ads & TV commercials you might remember.
Years ago, young folks gathered after school and on Saturday nights in drugstores all across America and listened to vintage jukeboxes just like these!
Come see what kinds of retro Christmas cards people sent each other to celebrate the holidays back in the fifties and sixties!
